City Council Meeting Recap - July 14, 2026

- Jul 16, 2026

The following is a recap of the City of St. John's Regular Council Meeting on July 14, 2026. The recap provides an overview of Council decisions. All related documents for the decisions outlined below and the full agenda from the meeting are available by clicking the button. 

Council Meeting Video, Agenda & Documents

Development Applications

Development applications are formal requests submitted to the City of St. John's by individuals, businesses, or developers seeking approval for projects that involve land use, building construction, or changes to property. These applications require council approvals and ensure that proposed developments comply with the City’s Envision St. John’s Development Regulations.

The following development applications were reviewed at the meeting:

 

Video of Development Applications Discussion

Council was asked to approve the demolition and reconstruction of a single detached dwelling at 135 Empire Avenue. The existing dwelling is non-conforming because it does not meet the Residential 2 (R2) building line setback and side yard setback requirements. The proposed new dwelling would increase the building line setback to 3.9 metres while maintaining the existing side yard setback of 0.62 metres. Council approval is required because the Development Regulations state that a non-conforming building cannot be internally or externally altered without Council approval.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Council was asked to establish a reduced building line and approve parking relief for a proposed four-plex at 3 Whitty Place. The applicant requested a building line setback of 4.46 metres instead of the required 6 metres due to the angle of the property and accessibility requirements within the building. Council also considered a request to reduce the required parking from four spaces to two spaces. Staff noted that the reduced setback would be consistent with other properties in the area and that the site is within walking distance of a bus route. Under the Development Regulations, Council may establish a building line and consider parking relief without requiring a parking report where appropriate.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously. 

Planning Applications and Information

A planning application is a formal request to amend the Envision St. John's Municipal Plan and/or City’s Envision St. John’s Development Regulations. This would include applications to rezone or change the text in the Municipal Plan or Development Regulations. An amendment can be initiated by city staff, City Council, or a property owner.

Active applications can be viewed on the Planning St. John's webpage, which allows the public to learn more about planning applications, track progress, give feedback and ask questions and view upcoming public meetings all in one place. 

The following planning applications were reviewed at the meeting:

View Video of Planning Applications Discussion

Council was asked to consider final approval of amendments to the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan and Development Regulations to allow the development of semi-detached dwellings on serviced lots at 55 Groves Road.

Following a public hearing led by an independent commissioner, the proposed rezoning would change the property from Rural Residential Infill (RRI) to Residential 2 (R2) and redesignate the land from Rural to Residential. The commissioner recommended approval of the amendments.

Staff supported the commissioner’s recommendation to approve the amendments and recommended accepting the staff report in place of a formal land use report.

Councillor Davis drew attention to the concerns of residents in the area, as highlighted in the Commissioner's Report. He advised that due to safety concerns stemming from the lack of a secondary egress route, he would not support rezoning. While he agreed that the lack of a secondary egress was a concern, Councillor Hickman noted the importance of infill development and voiced his support of the application.

Following the vote, Councillor Bruce inquired if the land in question would now remain with the City. The Chief Municipal Planner responded that the acquisition of the land was under provision of rezoning, and the applicant may now withdraw their request as the application has been rejected. 

While the commissioner recommended six additional conditions, staff advise that these conditions fall outside the commissioner’s authority and should not be adopted. Staff noted that:

  • A traffic study is not required by the City, although the developer voluntarily completed one and City transportation staff found no concerns.
  • Flooding and water pressure issues have been reviewed, and staff determined the development can meet City standards without affecting existing water service.
  • Building design, parking policy, and emergency access considerations are either outside the scope of the rezoning application or already addressed through existing regulations.

Staff support the commissioner’s recommendation to approve the amendments and recommend accepting the staff report in place of a formal land use report. If approved by Council, the amendments will be forwarded to the Province for registration and approval, including the related amendment to the St. John’s Urban Region Regional Plan.

The land is currently City-owned and has already been approved for sale to the developer, contingent on successful rezoning and future development approval.


Decision: Motion lost 1-7. Councillor Hickman voted in favour.

Council was asked to consider an updated rezoning application for 7 Rickett’s Road to allow a larger apartment development than previously proposed.

The applicant, Emerald Atlantic Group Inc., is seeking to rezone the property from the Institutional (INST) Zone to the Apartment 2 (A2) Zone to accommodate a Cluster Development consisting of eight four- to five-storey apartment buildings. The revised proposal would contain approximately 346 units, significantly increasing the scale of the development from the 2024 proposal of 13 three-storey buildings with 150–200 units.

Staff support consideration of the rezoning, noting that the proposal aligns with the Envision St. John’s Municipal Plan by increasing housing supply, supporting diverse and affordable housing options, and making use of an underutilized former school site that is already serviced by existing infrastructure.

This does not approve the rezoning or the development. It allows the application to move forward through the planning process, including a Land Use Report, technical review, neighbourhood consultation, and additional public consultation, before returning to Council for a final decision on the rezoning and any subsequent development application.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Ratification of E-Polls:

Sometimes, City Council needs to make decisions quickly—before the next regular meeting. When that happens, members can vote electronically. This is called an E-Poll. At the next official council meeting, those decisions are brought forward and formally approved, or ratified, to make them part of the official public record.

Council ratified the following e-poll at the meeting:

Special Events Regulatory Committee: Road Race Closure

Council was asked to approve road closures and lane reductions for the Mundy Pond 5K Road Race. The event was scheduled for July 12 from 7:50 a.m. to 9 a.m., with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary and race marshals providing traffic control. The proposed traffic measures included a full closure of Pearce Avenue and lane reductions on Mundy Pond Road, Blackmarsh Road, and Blackler Avenue to accommodate the race route.

Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Exemption Request: 34 Battery Road and 30 Cabot Avenue

Council was asked to review whether three proposed single detached homes at 30 Cabot Avenue should be exempt from the Heritage Design Standards in the Heritage By-Law.

Under the Heritage By-Law, Council has the authority to grant such an exemption, which would require amendments to the previously approved terms of reference for the required heritage report.

The Built Heritage Experts Panel (BHEP) reviewed the request and advised against granting the exemption. The panel found that the proposed roofline, windows, doors, and siding do not comply with the Heritage Design Standards, noted that the steep gable design is not characteristic of Heritage Area 4, and concluded that the proposal does not provide sufficient justification for an exemption.

At the request of the applicant, Councillor Hickman made a motion to defer the decision to exempt the proposed dwellings from the Heritage By-Law. As such, the matter was not discussed at the Council meeting. 


Decision: Motion deferred unanimously.

Text Amendment Adoption: Heat Pumps

Council was asked to adopt an amendment to the Envision St. John’s Development Regulations that would remove Section 6.20, which currently regulates the placement of heat pumps, mini-split heat pumps, air conditioners, and exhaust devices.

The amendment was initiated following a review of rules related to heat pump installations, particularly in Heritage Areas. Staff determined that these regulations would be more appropriately addressed through City by-laws rather than the Development Regulations.

Public consultation resulted in 18 submissions, with opinions generally focused on heat pump placement and noise rather than the proposed amendment itself. Some residents expressed concern that removing the section would restrict heat pump installations; however, staff clarified that heat pumps would continue to be permitted. Placement requirements would instead be regulated through the Residential Property Standards By-Law, Commercial Maintenance By-Law, and Heritage By-Law. These by-laws would provide guidance on placement and heritage-related design standards, while still allowing flexibility for approvals in certain circumstances.

Questions were also raised about noise from heat pump units, but the proposed changes do not introduce any regulations related to noise levels.

Given the limited scope of the amendment, staff recommend accepting the staff report in place of a formal Land Use Report. If Council adopts the amendment, it will be forwarded to the Province for registration.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously. 

Special Events Regulatory Committee

Council approved road closures and by-law exemptions to support several upcoming festivals, parades and community events across the city.

  • Churchill Park Music Festival (July 17–18 and July 24–25)

    • Elizabeth Avenue, from Allandale Road to Strawberry Marsh Road/Long Pond Road, will be closed from 3 p.m. to midnight on event days.
    • Traffic control will be managed by a private contractor with support from the RNC.

  • St. John’s Pride Parade (July 19; rain date July 26)

    • The parade will begin at City Hall at noon and end at Bannerman Park at approximately 1:30 p.m.
    • Road closures from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. include:
      • New Gower Street, from Waldegrave Street to Barter’s Hill
      • Duckworth Street, from New Gower Street to Ordnance Street
      • Ordnance Street, Military Road and Bannerman Road
    • Local traffic will be permitted where possible, but on-street parking will be restricted.
    • Council also approved an exemption to the Parks By-Law to allow the sale of food and merchandise in Bannerman Park.

  • PTSD Foundation Rolling Barrage (July 30)

    • Water Street, from Prescott Street to Cochrane Street, will be closed from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. to accommodate a motorcycle staging area and memorial service at the National War Memorial.
    • Approximately 80 motorcycles are expected to participate.

  • George Street Festival (July 30–Aug. 5)

    • The eastbound lane of Duckworth Street, from New Gower Street to Bates Hill, will be closed daily from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m.
    • Council also approved extending Noise By-Law hours until midnight and extending alcohol service hours from 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Aug. 3, 4 and 5.

  • Regatta Eve (Aug. 4)

    • Road closures from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. include Carnell Drive, Lakeview Avenue, Lake Avenue, Clancey Drive and The Boulevard.

  • Royal St. John’s Regatta (Aug. 5, or the next suitable day if postponed)

    • Road closures will be in effect from 7 a.m. until approximately 30 minutes after the final race.
    • Affected roads include Carnell Drive, Circular Road (Bannerman Street to Empire Avenue), Clancey Drive, Empire Avenue (Rennies Mill Road to Forest Road), Forest Road, Kennas Hill, King’s Bridge Road, Lake Avenue, Lakeview Avenue, Quidi Vidi Village Road, Legion Road, Pleasantville Avenue (Taylor Place to The Boulevard), The Boulevard, Winter Avenue and New Cove Road (Bristol Street to King’s Bridge Road).

The approvals will support event operations, traffic management and public safety measures for the festivals and celebrations.

Sponsorship of 2026 MNL Conference

Council was asked to consider a $20,000 sponsorship contribution to support the 2026 Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL) Annual Conference and Trade Show.

  • The 76th MNL Annual Conference and Trade Show will be held in St. John’s from November 4–7, 2026 at the St. John’s Convention Centre.
  • As the host municipality, the City has been asked to provide a $20,000 sponsorship contribution, consistent with previous years when the conference has been held in St. John’s.
  • In return, the City would receive Event Sponsor designation, which includes:
    • Six complimentary conference registrations (valued at approximately $3,900).
    • Exhibit space at the trade show.
    • An opportunity to offer greetings at the opening ceremonies.
    • An opportunity to present a 60-minute conference session.

The report requests Council’s consideration of this sponsorship contribution in support of the province-wide municipal conference and trade show.


Decision: Motion carried unanimously.

Permits Issued

Council was provided with a list of Development Permits and Building Permits issued since the last council meeting for their information. 

Weekly Payment Vouchers

Council approved the weekly payment vouchers for the weeks ending July 1 and July 8.

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